You may have noticed that I’m including 8 days as part of this week’s list, and that’s just because I had to push my long run from Sunday to Monday. Call me a cheater, but I still managed to get all my runs in for week 6 of training, haha.

Last Saturday I celebrated my 29th (gulp) birthday. Todd and I spent the weekend “down the shore.” Surprise, surprise.

After lounging on the beach and walking on the boardwalk in Wilwood, we headed back up to Atlantic City to spend the night before driving home the following afternoon.

I spent Sunday evening partying it up with my family and gorging myself on enchiladas and sangria.

…and eating lots and lots of mint chocolate chip ice cream cake.

And I didn’t do any running at all. I felt my body deserved a little break, so I took it. It was a scale-back week on my plan, anyway, so I figured it wasn’t a huge deal to delay my 9-miler a day or two.

There’s something about birthdays that forces personal reflection…especially when I’m thisclose to a pretty big age milestone. I’m not exactly thrilled about turning the big 3-0 next year. But I have to say, the prospect of officially leaving my 20′s behind has me a lot less terrified than it has in the last couple of years. Now that I’m embarking upon my final year as a twenty-something, I have to be honest with myself and admit that I like where I am right now…and the idea of leaving behind my 20′s isn’t SO terrifying anymore.

And, maybe, I might even be just a little proud of myself. It’s hard to admit, but, there…I said it. I’m not perfect and I’ve made a TON of mistakes and I still have a whole lot of growing up to do, but I can honestly say that I’m happy with my life and I’m proud of the person I’ve become over the last decade.

My life has changed A LOT this past year, that’s for sure! In a lot of ways, I’ve really been through the ringer, especially in the last couple of years. The end of an almost 12-year relationship and the prospect of truly being “on my own” for the first time could have crushed me. But it didn’t. Trying to live in an apartment I technically couldn’t afford completely drained what little savings I had, and for the first time in my life, I have debt…and I hate it. That DEFINITELY could have crushed me. But it didn’t.

A lot of amazing things have happened since my last birthday that never would have been possible had I not had the courage to pick up the pieces and move forward, and even though there’s still a whole lot of mess I have to clean up (literally and figuratively, HA), I’ve been happier in this past year than I’ve been in a long, long time.

And, of course, the fact that I began my weight loss journey shortly after I entered my 20′s, and am now finishing the decade in the same-size pants — and as a two-time marathoner, for crying out loud — makes it real, real hard to continue hating myself (and my body) the way I once did. I never thought I’d run a marathon, and I definitely never thought I’d be able to accept my body enough to walk around at the beach half naked (I used to wear sweatshirts, no joke) or worse, post pictures of myself in a bathing suit on-line for all the world to see. I guess it all comes with being “old” now, right?

It’s nice to finally accept who I am — flaws and all — so if there’s one thing I’ll be taking with me into my 30′s next year, it’s that there’s not a whole heck of a lot that I can’t handle…and come out stronger on the other side.

But, let’s be honest…no matter what my age… I’ll always be a kid trapped in a grown woman’s body.

Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday weekend!! You are totally rockin’ those bikinis girl! You should be so proud of yourself… I may have not ‘known’ you over the past decade but for the time I have been following your blog, I know you as an inspiration! Keep going at it strong and you will thrive in your 30′s! :0)

That sounds like a great weekend! We used to go to Wildwood when I was a kid but I haven’t been there in a while. Atlantic City is fun, though. And, by the way, 30s are way more fun than 20s! Embrace it (but enjoy your final year, too).

Hahaha, oh, man, the Olaf doll…I’ve been trying to win one of the damn things ALL summer — I’m addicted to those crane machines! — and I FINALLY got my Olaf! We screamed and carried on like we’d just won the lottery, no joke, LOL.

Happy Birthday!! Looks like a great celebration. Don’t sweat turning 30. Honestly, my 30s have been SO much better than my 20s. Every year just gets better. And this mentality will serve you well: “But, let’s be honest…no matter what my age… I’ll always be a kid trapped in a grown woman’s body.” Yes! That’s how I am. As long as I feel young inside, I will be! Wearing costumes at Disney races helps too

Aww, thanks, Karla! That’s really good to hear, and that is TOTALLY how I live my life. I may act like a silly kid sometimes, but I’m definitely having lots of fun along the way. And what’s more fun than running in costume…?

Happy Birthday!!! You share a birthday with my grandfather who is from NJ. I remember spending summers at Wildwood when I was a little girl — such great memories! I used to love biking on the boardwalk in the early morning with my parents. The last time I was there was when I was 12 and it had changed a lot, but was still fun…. especially the waffle ice cream sandwiches, those are very fun. I literally have never seen those offered anywhere else!

You look seriously awesome. It’s so great to hear that you’re going into your last year in your 20s feeling so much better about yourself during your earlier years. I feel the same way. I think it’s normal to take your 20s to really discover yourself, right?

I'm Jen, thanks for checking out my blog! After a lifetime of struggling with my weight, I managed to lose 90 pounds in 2007... and, for the first time in my life, actually kept them off. In my efforts to lose "the final 40," I became a runner and martial artist (Taekwondo and Muay Thai). A NJ-based freelance journalist, when I'm not writing about the latest health and fitness trends, I'm actually living them! Visit my website at www.jenniferlnelson.com